Railways, the team with maximum ‘Elite Athletes’ since day one of 53rd National Open Athletics Championships going on since September 7 at Mega Sports Complex, Hotwar has been at the winning forefront. The success was same even on Monday, the second last day of this game.
Sudha Singh, India’s current best in Steeplechase 3000 metres (m) participating from Railways bagged the first position in the same event at this ongoing championships with 10: 09. 04 new meet record. Taking the name of female gender ahead from the same team, national fame MA Prajusha won gold medal with 6.25 m in long Jump. Manpreet Kaur with a score of 15.03 m shined the team’s name in female Shotput. Moreover, Indian
Track fairy PT Usha’s student, Tintu luka from the same team was blessed with gold medal at 800m female in 2:01.87 score.
Talking to The Pioneer about the accomplishment, a technical official of this renowned institutional team said, “Majority of our men and women players are national scorers. Moreover, our players get adequate practise sessions during national camps conducted at Patiala.”
In the 110 Hurdles men, A Suresh of this team has won gold medal in 14. 19 minutes and Sajeesh Joseph has grabbed gold medal for 800 m in 1: 49. 50.
The team leading on the first position till Monday is a competition for Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) which is the second best team as of now.
An Athletics Federation of India (AFI) officer requesting anonymity informed that Railways have full chances of leading the mega-tournament. ONGC, Services, life Insurance Corporation (lIC) and Tamil Nadu are following the next top positions after Railways.
Maintaining this medal achievement, in Pole Vault men too, the gold and silver medals were taken by Railway team’s KP Bimin within 5m and Balakrishna with
4.80m respectively. Bimin is interestingly Prajusha’s husband and the couple rocks in this national championship with their worthy performances.
In events like Decathlon men, long Jump men, Men 2000m Walk, Steeplechase 3000m women, High Jump women and 800m women the team owns silver medals.
There are few bronze medals also in other athletics events.
The four day tournament ends today evening wherein State Art, Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Geetashree Oraon is expected to be the Chief Guest of Valedictory session.
Top Five teams at 53rd National Open Athletics Meet
1. Railways
2. ONGC
3. Services
4. lIC
5. Tamil Nadu